Bluffton High athletes take part in national signing day

National signing day has come and gone and seven Bluffton High athletes have taken the first step toward moving their athletic careers to the college level.

Gathered in the gym lobby at Bluffton High School on Wednesday and surrounded by friends, family members, coaches and members of the media, these young men and women proudly signed their national letters of intent and started the next chapters of their lives.

Five of the seven signed letters to go on and play football as head coach Ken Cribb looked on at the young men he had coached. Those five players were defensive tackle K.J. Ford (James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.), offensive lineman Taylor Gordon (Savannah State), wide receiver Jae Middleton (Savannah State), defensive tackle Mike Jones (Newberry) and wide receiver Vinny Boni (Limestone).

Volleyball player Jordan Franklin signed with King University in Bristol, Tenn., and girls soccer player Kativa Stout signed with Limestone.

The reactions among the athletes and their family members was a combination of excitement and relief.

Boni, who had to deal with not only the arduous recruiting process, but a broken collarbone early in the football season as well, expressed joy and relief at the conclusion of his signing.

"This feels really good," he said. "This is such a load off my back and now I'm ready to move forward and prepare."

Boni's parents, Louie and Dorinne Boni, were equally relieved.

"This recruiting process was very lengthy and unnerving at times," Louie said.

"It's tough to find the right spot for your kid," Dorinne said. "Between finding the right place academically, athletically and the process itself, it can be stressful."

Ford also had to deal with an injury during his recruiting process. Having suffered a broken finger, Ford was concerned how that would affect his play upon his return, and ultimately his opportunities to continue his football career.

"I was a little worried about coming back from my injury," Ford said. "But, I just did what I had to do.

"I came back, did my absolute best and just hoped I stood out enough to be able to move to the next level."

For others, like Stout, the end result of signing day had not yet begun to sink in. Surrounded by her mother, father, sister and brother, she was still taking it all in.

"To be honest, the impact of it all hasn't hit me yet," she said. "I am super excited about this opportunity, though."

At times it was difficult to see who was more excited about signing day - the athletes or their parents and family members.

Middleton, too, expressed joy and happiness at being able to continue his athletic career at Savannah State, but perhaps it was his parents who were the most excited.

His father, Jawara Middleton Sr., dressed in his United States Army uniform, and his mother Monisha Middleton flashed big smiles and gave friendly handshakes after Jae signed.

"So proud, so happy and so very relieved," Jawara said.

Though not a biological parent to the seven athletes, athletic director Dave Adams spoke to them the signing as a kind of surrogate parent.

"There's been a lot of pressure on you all," he said. "But, you can relax a bit and enjoy it now.

"I remember some of you being born, and watching you grow up through the years has been amazing."

Offensive lineman Josh Darrell, meanwhile is still weighing his options and is considering Savannah State, Limestone and Tusculum College in Tennessee.

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